Shakespeare: The King’s Man

Synopsis

American scholar James Shapiro examines the plays Shakespeare wrote during the turbulent reign of Elizabeth’s successor, King James I. One of the new king’s first official acts was to name Shakespeare a king’s man. Shapiro argues that the dark, complex plays of Shakespeare’s last decade- King Lear, Macbeth, and The Tempest, among others- mirrored both royal life and the era’s profound social changes.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Medium

Video

Technical information

Colour / Sound

Year of release

2012

Duration

177 mins

Credits

Director

Steven Clarke

Producer

Steven Clarke

Contributor

James Shapiro

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Subjects

Drama; History

Keywords

history of the 17th century; monarchy; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Notes

Notes

DVD special features: Bonus disc with the BBC’s 1983 production of Macbeth, 12-page viewer’s guide; biographies of other prominent playwrights of the period, and James Shapiro’s discussion questions. Available Region I only.

The three episodes as broadcast by the BBC under the series title THE KING AND THE PLAYWRIGHT: A JACOBEAN HISTORY are catalogued separately on this database.

Production Company

Name

Acorn Media Group

Name

Green Bay

Online Retailer

Name

amazon.com

Web

http://www.amazon.com External site opens in new window